Hair curling apparatus



June 5, 1956 w. J. CROTHERS HAIR CURLING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed NOV; 7, 1951 June 5, 1956 w. J. CROTHERS HAIR CURLING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 7, 1951 United States Patent C HATR CURLING APPARATUS William J. Crothers, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 7, 1951, Serial No. 255,214 4 Claims. (Cl. 132-43 This invention relates to improved hair curling appa ratus.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved hair curler together with an operator by means of which the curler can be manipulated.

More specifically itis an object of my invention to provide hair curling apparatus in which the lock of hair can be grasped and the curl can be formed by the manipulation of an operator.- Heretofore, a hair curler has been in the form of an elongate element which is no longer than the curl which is to be formed; that is, the lock of hair completely covers the hair curler. This means that the curler must be grasped at both ends, requiring the use of bothhands' in wrapping the lock of hair around the curler. With the present device, the curler can be be manipulated with one hand leaving the other hand free to guide the lock of hair as it is being wound up on the outlet and to distribute the lock of hair uniforrnly along the length of the curler, which makes for a more uniform clamping aetion and a more uniform curl.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved type of hair curler element which may be removably mounted on an operator. I

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved hair curler which comprises a pair of core elements which cooperate with each other to grasp the end of a hair lock and which serve as a core around which the hair look can be wound, in combination with retaining means which prevent the hair lock from becoming unwound from the cores.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved type of retaining means which cooperates with a pair of cores in such a manner that the lock of hair may be tightly wedged between the cooperating elements, thereby permitting a tight curl of long duration to be formed by the force or pressure imparted to the curl by the cooperating elements.

Still another object is to provide improved hair curling means including a pair of separate cores, a Wedging retainer which cooperates with the cores to perform a tight curl and an auxiliary retainer which serves to hold the cores in place and permits the removal of the wedging retainer after it has served its purpose, the cores and the auxiliary retainer constituting an inconspicuous means for holding a lock of hair in curled position.

Other objects, features and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

With reference now to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a preferred embodiment of my invention, the operator and tongs being shown in open position;

Fig. 2 i's a similar view to Fig. 1 but showing the parts in closed position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the parts after the retainer has been slipped into operative position;

Fig. 4 is a vertical seetional view of the parts shown 2,748,779 Patented June 5, 1956 in Fig. 3,. the section being taken along line 44 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is an end view of Fig. 3, and additionally show= ing the lock of hair in an intermediate stage of curling operation;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but showing the lock of. hair in its finally curled position;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but additionally show= ingthe' auxiliary retainer applied to the cores;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinalsection of the operator;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of certain parts, showing the manner in which the plunger is associated with the pivoted shank members;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the pivoted shank members;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged plan view of the fulcrum ring;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one of the core members;

Fig. 13 is an end view of the retainer shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 14 is a side view of a modified form of retainer, and

Fig. l5 is a perspective view of the auxiliaryretainer.

With reference now to the drawings, the improved hair curling apparatus comprises an operator 20, a pair of hollow cores 21 removably mounted on the operator, and a retainer 22. The end of a lock of hair is adapted to be grasped between the hollow cores, and the latter serve to draw the lockof hair into the retainer 22 in a tightly wedged condition. The operator facilitates this operation, and the retainer 22 cooperates with the cores to maintain the lock of hair in tightly wedged condition after the ope'ratorhas been removed from the cores.

As shown in Fig. 8, the operator comprises a tapering barrel 23 in which are mounted a pair of pivoted shank members 24 and 25. A- piovt pin 26 secures the shank members to each other in pivoted relationship.

As shown in Fig. 10, the inner end of shank member 25 is recessed to accommodate a coil spring 27 which urges the shank members into the open position shown in Fig. l.- The shank members are provided with inwardly extending cam surfaces 28 which cooperate with a fulc'ru'm ring 29 which is wedged and staked within the barrel 23.

A yoke 30 is connected to the shank members by pivot pin 26. An operating plunger 31 is secured to the connecting portion of the yoke 30 so that the whole assembly shown in Fig. 9 may be moved longitudinally with respect to the barrel.

The plunger is supported by an apertured disk 32 which is wedged and staked in place in the barrel. An operating spring 33 surrounds the plunger and is confined between the disk 32' and a collar 34. This operating spring is stronger than the coil spring 27 so that the shank members are normally disposed in the closed position shown in Figs. 2 and 8.

The fulcrum ring 29 is of substantial thickness. The opening therein is shaped so as to provide fulcrum edges 35 and slots 36. The slots accommodate the yoke 30. The shoulders 37 of the slot bear against the edges of the yoke so as to maintain the shank member assembly in non-rotatable relationship with the barrel. The fulcrum edges bear against the cam surfaces 28 so that as the plunger is pushed in, the jaws will open as shown in Fig. i. As soon as the pressure on the plunger is released, the operating spring 33 causes the parts to be returned to the closed position shown in Fig. 2. Thus, the shanks may be opened or closed by operation of the plunger.

The pivoted shank members 24 and 25 are shaped so as to receive the hollow cores 21. A crimp 38 may be made in each shank which provides a frictional engagement of the parts sufiicient to prevent the cores from inadvertently dropping off of the shank members. Thus, when the cores are in position on the shank members, they may be manipulated so that the end of a lock of hair may be grasped between the cores, and then rotated so as to wrap the hair lock around the hair to form a curl.

The retainer 22 is in the form of a tube having a slot 39 extending the full length thereof, the slot being bounded by beveled or flared edges 40. After the hair lock has been grasped between the cores, the retainer is slipped over the cores during the winding operation. At the conclusion of the winding operation, the retainer holds the lock or curl in position. Thus, the retainer may be withdrawn from the cores and utilized to form another curl with another pair of cores.

The barrel 23 and the retainer 22 are so designed that the retainer may be carried on the barrel as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 while the hair lock is being initially grasped between the cores. Thus, it is in a position wherein it may be readily slid otf of the barrel and into cooperative relationship with the cores; that is, from the Fig. 2 position to the Fig. 3 position. It will be observed that the barrel is tapered so that retainers of difierent diameter can be used to accommodate curls of varying size.

One feature of the present invention is the fact that the retainer may be slipped from the barrel over the lock after the same has been partially wrapped, and then the wrapping operation can be continued, thus drawing the hair lock into the retainer as far as it will go. In other words, a wedging action takes place which permits the formation of a comparatively tight curl, the term tight" being used to indicate that the hair lock is tightly wedged between the cores and the retainer in such a manner that there is no danger of the cores dropping out. The flared edges 40 facilitate this operation.

As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the retainer 22 may be perforated as at 44. This permits the hair to be wetted after the curl has been formed; also, it facilitates the drying of the hair lock which is encased therein.

Fig. 15 shows an auxiliary retainer 41. This comprises a pair of resilient clamping arms 42 which are to be inserted into the openings in the hollow cores 21 so as to maintain them in clamped position. A third arm 43 is provided which extends parallel to the clamping arms and is adapted to engage the hair lock at one side, much in the manner of a hair pin, in order to prevent the lock from unwinding, as shown in Fig. 7. Two of these auxiliary retainers 41 may be employed for each pair of cores, one at each end thereof, or if desired, a single retainer of this type may be employed which is of somewhat greater length than that shown.

The auxiliary retainer can be slipped into place after the curl has been formed by the wedging retainer 22. This permits the wedging retainer to be removed, hence providing an inconspicuous means for retaining the bidden cores and the curl in their wound position in the latter stages of setting. Furthermore, the wedging retainer may be replaced without extracting the curl or disturbing the curl, if desired. If the curl has become loosened, it can be tightened or re-wedged by means of the operator.

To summarize the operation, a wedging retainer 22 is first placed on the barrel of the operator, and then the cores 21 are slipped onto the shank members 24 and 25. Then the plunger 31 is depressed to cause the cores to open, as shown in Fig. 1. The end of a hair lock is placed between the cores and the plunger is then released, which brings the parts into the Fig. 2 position in which the hair lock is grasped between the cores. At this time the retainer 22 is moved over to the Fig. 3 position in which it surrounds the cores. The operator is then rotated with one hand while the other hand holds the retainer in non-rotating relationship and guides the hair as it is drawn into the retainer. This stage of the operation, in which the hair partially fills the retainer is shown in Fig. 5. The winding operation is continued until the hair is tightly wedged within the retainer as shown in Fig. 6. Then the operator is withdrawn from the cores. The curler elements, namely the cores and the retainer remain in this position. After the hair has been partially set, the relatively conspicuous wedging retainers can be removed if the auxiliary retainers 41 are first inserted into one or both ends of the cores, as shown in Fig. 7. Thus, the curl will remain in substantially the same position as shown in Fig. 7. When the curl has been finally set, the auxiliary retainers are removed, so as to permit removal of the cores.

In Figs. 5 and 6, the reference numeral 45 designates the scalp, and 46 a lock of hair. These figures illustrate the fact that practically any degree of wedging or tightness can be obtained by the present invention. The increased pressure thus provided makes for a more permanent curl.

The cores, as shown in Fig. 12, are of generally semicylindrical construction. They may be formed either of metal or of a suitable plastic material.

Although only a preferred embodiment of my invention has been shown and described herein, it will be understood that various modifications and changes may be made in the construction shown without departing from the spirit of my invention as pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Hair curling apparatus comprising a pair of hollow cores around which a lock of hair may be wrapped, a slotted tubular retainer surrounding said cores and serving to maintain said cores in position after wrapping, an operator having a shank member removably engaging at least one of said cores whereby the end of a hair lock may be grasped between said cores and said cores rotated to wrap the hair lock around said cores to form a curl, said tubular retainer cooperating with said cores so that said hair lock may be wedged between said cores and said retainer to facilitate setting thereof, and an auxiliary retainer having resilient arms received within said hollow core to maintain said cores in clamped position, thereby permitting removal of said tubular retainer after said hair lock has taken a set, said auxiliary retainer being provided with a projection to engage said lock of hair which is wrapped around said cores to prevent the assembly comprising said auxiliary retainer and said cores from becoming unwrapped after said tubular retainer has been removed.

2. Hair curling apparatus comprising a pair of cores around which a lock of hair may be wrapped, a retainer cooperating with said cores to maintain the same in position after wrapping, and an operator having oppositely disposed shank members removably engaging said cores whereby the end of a hair lock may be grasped between said cores and said cores rotated to wrap the hair lock around said cores to form a curl, said operator including a barrel portion adapted to receive said retainer during wrapping, said retainer being in the form of a slotted tubular member surrounding said cores and the lock of hair wrapped around the same, and being slidably mounted on said barrel to permit sliding movement of said retainer from said barrel into operative position in registry with said cores, so that said hair lock may be confined between said cores and said retainer, and said barrel portion being tapered so as to accommodate retainers of different diameters.

3. Hair curling apparatus comprising an operator and a pair of cores removably associated therewith, said operator comprising a pair of pivoted elements, said pivoted elements being provided with end portions of reduced transverse dimensions on which said cores are removably mounted, means for operating said pivoted elements to spread said cores so that a lock of hair can be grasped therebetween, and a slotted tubular retainer surrounding said cores and cooperating therewith so that said lock of hair will be wedged between said cores and said retainer, said operator including a barrel serving to enclose said pivoted elements so that justsaid end portions project from said barrel, said pivoted elements being mounted for longitudinally sliding movement within said barrel, and said operating means being actuated by longitudinal displacement of said pivoted elements with respect to said barrel.

4. Hair curling apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said operator also includes fulcrum means disposed within said barrel, and diverging cam surfaces provided on said pivoted elements at a point adjacent said fulcrum means whereby longitudinal displacement of said pivoted elements will cause said cam surfaces to be forced toward each other to change the angular relationship of said pivoted elements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Iremonger Sept. 13, Bates July 11, Fister Jan. 16, Bregou May 21, Freeman Dec. 30, Newman June 16, Wirsing Nov. 5,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain May 7, France May 15, Great Britain Sept. 4, 

